SUPERSTAR DJ David Guetta has been announced as the first headliner for the 2026 Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The Titanium hitmaker, 57, will join star-studded music line-up at the event, that features a variety of artists across multiple stages.
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David Guetta has been announced as the first headliner for 2026 Formula 1 British Grand PrixCredit: Getty – ContributorThe Titanium hitmaker will join star-studded music line-upCredit: AFPThe announcement sees Guetta join a stellar list of past British Grand PrixCredit: PA
The performance will mark Guetta’s only UK appearance of his global MONOLITH tour nextsummer.
Having attracted record crowds of 500,000 last summer, the home of British motorsport is set to go bigger and better, with a line-up of international musicians.
The announcement sees Guetta join a stellar list of past British Grand Prix headliners that includes Stormzy, RAYE, Sam Fender, Fatboy Slim and Becky Hill.
Ahead of the big performance, David Guetta said: “I’ve played some incredible shows around the world, but performing at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix is going to be something truly special.
“I’ve always been drawn to Formula 1 – the atmosphere, the adrenaline, the passion – it’s everything I love.
“I even made a music video inspired by F1 years ago.
“I can’t wait to bring my energy to the main stage and make it an unforgettable night.”
The BRIT and Grammy-winning icon will open the four-day celebration on Thursday 2 July, delivering his world-famous high-energy set packed with global hits.
Guetta’s Silverstone debut promises to kickstart the Grand Prix weekend with an unforgettable party and marks a fitting full-circle moment for the French DJ, whose 2014 Dangerous music video paid tribute to Formula 1, featuring F1 legend Romain Grosjean.
More headliners and entertainment acts will be announced in the coming months, alongside on-track programming and fan experiences.
Tickets for the 2026 British Grand Prix are now available online.
The BRIT and Grammy-winning icon will open the four-day celebrationCredit: Getty
BBC viewers have been urged to look out for any clues as the broadcaster is reportedly gearing up to announce the return of one of its biggest shows very soon
23:45, 05 Nov 2025Updated 23:45, 05 Nov 2025
Line of Duty could be making a comeback very soon(Image: BBC)
A huge BBC drama is set to announce its comeback within a matter of days. Fans have been waiting on tenterhooks to see if another series will be released, and now the cast have finally aligned their schedules to make it happen.
The BBC are said to be gearing up to confirm Line of Duty will be back on screens for a seventh series. Fans have been urged to keep an eye out for any online announcements that will be followed by TV teaser trailers.
Now, it seems fans won’t have long to wait for an official announcement as a source said: “Although this has been discussed at length since the unsatisfactory ending of series six in 2021, it’s still going to create huge excitement when the Beeb makes the announcement.
“It’s one they’ve been preparing to make for weeks, but they’ve been trying to pick the right moment, since The Celebrity Traitors has been hogging quite a lot of limelight recently.” They added to Sun: “And the BBC very much view Line Of Duty as one of the jewels in its crown that they want to deliver with some fanfare.”
The BBC declined to comment when approached by the Mirror. Back in July, Actor Adrian said: “We’re really excited about getting our hands on a Line of Duty script, to see what happens to us.”
The Ridley star even teased what is to come on the programme, which could air in 2026, as he told The Times: “It is down to the BBC to make an announcement, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that next year we’ll be working on a new series. No doubt Jed will think of some interesting twists and turns.”
Martin Compston played DS Steve Arnott in the show, which came to an end when his character and his team discovered the identity of “H”. He also shared details on whether viewers can expect more from the series.
“We’re always talking about possibilities and schedules and whatnot,” he said to The Sun. Martin didn’t dare share more and added: “Everybody’s got stuff going on at the minute, so I think anything, unfortunately, would be a way off.”
Before Martin discussed a potential new series, a source told the same publication that Adrian, Vicky McClure and Martin will reunite to film six new episodes. They said at the time: “This is the news Line of Duty fans have been waiting for since the sixth season left them deflated when it aired back in 2021.
“The BBC almost immediately requested more episodes to continue the story, but the success of the show meant Vicky, Martin and Adrian were instantly snapped up for other projects. But after several meetings with Jed [Mercurio, creator and writer] and the production team, they’ve finally managed to clear space in their calendars next year to commit to making the show.”
While last August, Adrian said that he was desperate to get back into character for another series. He told Good Housekeeping: “We all want another series.
“We filmed our last series in lockdown, which meant we didn’t get to do anything other than work, so we’re really keen to get together for one last hurrah.”
Marella Cruises, TUI UK’s ocean cruise line, has announced the return of its hugely popular music-themed cruise, setting sail in April 2027. The adults-only sailing promises the ultimate retro music showdown at sea and is on sale now
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The new Marella sailings have been announced(Image: PR HANDOUT)
It’s time to leave the kids behind and relive two iconic decades in music aboard the ‘Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s’ themed voyage.
Marella Cruises, TUI UK’s ocean cruise line, has announced the return of its hugely popular music-themed cruise, setting sail in April 2027. The adults-only sailing promises the ultimate retro music showdown at sea and is on sale now.
Now in its sixth year, the Electric Sunsets concept celebrates two of the most influential decades in pop culture, bringing guests an immersive experience packed with nostalgia, entertainment, and star-studded performances. The headline acts for the 2027 voyage will be announced early next year, with organisers promising a line-up of top artists from both eras.
While this year’s acts will be different, last year the star-studded lineup featured Irish pop group B*Witched, UK R&B pop group The Honeyz, the iconic DJ SASH! and Ibiza in Symphony – a 10-piece orchestra.
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The three-night sailing aboard Marella Discovery will depart Palma on Wednesday, 28 April 2027, calling at Valencia and Ibiza before returning to Palma on Saturday, 1 May 2027. Guests can expect themed parties, live performances, and 80s vs 90s-inspired events across the ship.
Chris Hackney, CEO of Marella Cruises, said: “We’re thrilled to announce the return of our 2027 themed cruise. The battle of 80s vs 90s music remains one of our most anticipated experiences, appealing to both loyal guests and newcomers. Customer feedback shows these eras bring back real nostalgia — and the chance to see top stars perform onboard makes it even more special.”
For those looking to extend their getaway, a limited number of cruise-and-stay packages will be available, featuring hotels in Majorca such as Alua Soul Mallorca Resort, Astoria Playa Hotel, and Hotel Son Matias Beach.
As with all Marella Cruises sailings, the trip is all-inclusive, covering flights, transfers, tips, and service charges. Prices for Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s start from £799 per person, available to book from Thursday, 30 October 2025.
If you’re a cruise fanatic, then it’s not just the cruise ship and destinations that will likely peak your interest. The real cruise nerds enjoy ticking off different ports across the world.
Recent research from the travel experts at AllClear Travel Insurance has highlighted the world’s top 10 most beautiful cruise ports, examining factors such as how quickly they capture passengers’ attention with their incredible views.
Investors always look for clues about Nvidia’s progress in the high-growth AI market.
Nvidia(NVDA 1.04%) has hit it out of the park quarter after quarter when reporting earnings, but that hasn’t made investors blasé about the artificial intelligence (AI) giant’s next update. Instead, investors wait with just as much anticipation each time around — and even wonder if, this time, they’ll see a slowdown in what’s been a whirlwind growth story.
As investors count the days until the next report — and in this case, it’s set for Nov. 19 — they look for clues about Nvidia’s AI business, one that’s generated record revenue in recent years. Nvidia, as the world’s biggest AI chip designer, delivered $130 billion in revenue in the latest fiscal year — that’s compared to $27 billion just two years earlier.
Now, one particular clue — and one investors truly can count on — comes from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing(TSM -1.68%), a key Nvidia partner. TSMC, the world’s largest chip manufacturer, just announced big news for Nvidia stockholders.
Image source: Getty Images.
How Nvidia and TSMC work together
Before we get to this fantastic news, though, we’ll take a quick look at Nvidia’s business and how the company works with TSMC. Nvidia for many years built its business around designing chips for the gaming market, but as AI surfaced as a growth opportunity, the company turned its attention there. And, as they say, the rest is history.
Today, Nvidia dominates this market with its high-powered chips as well as related products and services from enterprise software to networking systems. This has helped earnings and the stock price soar — Nvidia shares have climbed more than 1,100% over the past five years.
It’s important to note that though Nvidia is a chip designer, it’s not a chipmaker. Nvidia doesn’t actually manufacture its AI chips, known as graphics processing units (GPUs), and instead turns to TSMC for that job. TSMC has more than 500 customers across segments of the market, including the world’s chip leaders — from Nvidia to Broadcom and Advanced Micro Devices.
A deep look at the industry
On top of this, since the actual production of advanced chips becomes more and more complex with each chip innovation, TSMC starts work with customers two to three years prior to a new project. “Therefore, we probably get the deepest and widest look possible in the industry,” CEO C.C. Wei said during the company’s earnings call this week.
All of this means TSMC has a very clear picture of what’s happening in today’s AI market and what lies ahead. And this brings me to the news the company delivered this week — news that’s a big deal for Nvidia stockholders.
TSMC reported a 39% increase in profit and a 30% increase in revenue in the recent quarter, beating analysts’ estimates. Importantly, Wei said TSMC continues to see a “strong outlook” from customers and “received very strong signals from our customers’ customers. … Our conviction in the AI megatrend is strengthening.” Wei added that semiconductor demand “will continue to be very fundamental.”
Confirming the trend
All of this is incredible news for Nvidia’s shareholders as it confirms the trends the chip designer has spoken of in recent quarters and its prediction for growth in demand. In Nvidia’s most recent earnings report, back in August, CEO Jensen Huang predicted that AI infrastructure spending may jump to $4 trillion by 2030. TSMC’s report this past week offers us reason to be optimistic about that possibility and suggests that Nvidia is already starting to reap the rewards.
As customers seek GPUs, chip designers must turn to TSMC for production — and it’s likely that TSMC’s revenue gains reflect demand for Nvidia’s chips since Nvidia is the market leader.
All of this means there’s reason for investors to be optimistic about Nvidia’s upcoming earnings report and the messages it will deliver regarding future demand for its GPUs. That’s incredible news for Nvidia stockholders — and makes the stock a great one to buy and hold today.
Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Between the 10th and 15th of every month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases the previous month’s inflation data. This information is used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to calculate the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
The BLS was slated to release the September inflation report — the final piece of data needed to unveil the 2026 COLA — at 08:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 15. But due to the federal government shutdown, the most-anticipated announcement of the year has been pushed back.
Social Security’s 2026 COLA reveal will occur on Oct. 24
In its simplest form, Social Security’s COLA is the near-annual “raise” passed along to beneficiaries to offset the impact of inflation (rising prices). If benefits weren’t adjusted for the effects of inflation, Social Security recipients would see their income lose buying power most years.
For the last half-century, the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) has served as Social Security’s inflation measuring stick. With more than 200 different spending categories, each with its own unique percentage weightings, the CPI-W can be reported as a single figure by the BLS each month.
The quirk with Social Security’s COLA calculation is that only the months of July, August, and September (the third quarter) matter. The other nine months of the year can be helpful in spotting trends, but they aren’t used in the COLA calculation.
With CPI-W readings from July and August already known, the only puzzle piece missing is September. Unfortunately, most economic data reports from federal agencies are delayed indefinitely during government shutdowns.
However, some BLS staffers are going back to work and will be releasing the September inflation report on Friday, Oct. 24, at 08:30 a.m. ET, according to information provided to CNBC. The SSA will announce the 2026 COLA on Oct. 24, as well.
Based on estimates from nonpartisan senior advocacy group The Senior Citizens League and independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst Mary Johnson, next year’s COLA is forecast to come in at 2.7% or 2.8%, respectively. This would work out to an extra $54 to $56 per month for the typical retired-worker beneficiary, and $43 to $44 extra each month for the average worker with disabilities and survivor beneficiary.
While little is set in stone — other than the expectation of the BLS reporting the last piece of data needed to calculate the 2026 COLA on Oct. 24 — retirees are very likely getting the short end of the stick with next year’s raise. COLAs have consistently come up short for retirees, and a projected 11.5% increase in the 2026 Medicare Part B premium isn’t going to help.
Image source: Getty Images.
No speculating here! This is the one guaranteed Social Security change for 2026
Though the government shutdown has delayed the release of key pieces of information, such as next year’s COLA, the maximum taxable earnings cap, the maximum monthly payout at full retirement age, and the withholding thresholds tied to the retirement earnings test, there is one Social Security change that’s guaranteed to take place in 2026. However, you’ll have to go to the state level to see it.
Firstly, yes, Social Security benefits may be taxable at the federal and state levels.
Individuals whose provisional income — adjusted gross income (AGI) + tax-free interest + one-half benefits — tops $25,000, or $32,000 for couples filing jointly, can have some of their Social Security income exposed to federal taxation.
When the calendar flips to Jan. 1, 2026, West Virginia will officially become one of 42 states that don’t tax Social Security income.
In the 2022 tax year, West Virginia made Social Security income exempt from state-level taxation for individuals and jointly filing couples with respective AGIs of $50,000 or less and $100,000 or less.
In March 2024, West Virginia’s legislature passed, and its governor signed, a new law that phases out the taxation of Social Security benefits over a three-year period for those folks who didn’t qualify for this previous AGI adjustment.
Beginning in the 2024 tax year, West Virginians who received Social Security benefits and generated more than $50,000 in AGI (or $100,000 in AGI, if filing jointly) saw 35% of their Social Security benefits exempted from state-level taxation. In 2025, this exemption increased to 65% of Social Security income. In 2026, 100% of Social Security income will be exempted at the state level.
West Virginia will join Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and North Dakota as states that have shelved the taxation of Social Security benefits since this decade began.
While this has been anything but a normal COLA announcement month for Social Security, the one thing we do know is that Social Security recipients in West Virginia will be all smiles when the new year arrives.
The government shutdown has complicated things, but the COLA is still coming soon.
Every October, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announces the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the upcoming year.
Up until recently, that announcement was supposed to be around Oct. 15 — right after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases September’s inflation report. But with the federal government closed until further notice, it seemed as if that report wouldn’t be released anytime soon.
New information from the BLS, however, suggests we could be getting the COLA announcement sooner than expected. Here’s when it might be coming, what it might be, and how that might affect your retirement.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
When will the new COLA be released?
The SSA calculates the COLA by averaging Consumer Price Index data from July, August, and September. That average is compared to the figure from the same period the year prior, and if it’s higher, the percentage difference will be next year’s COLA.
Before the government shut down, the BLS was expected to release September’s Consumer Price Index data on Oct. 15. But with that office almost entirely furloughed, it was unlikely the report would be published before the government reopened.
However, on Oct. 10, the BLS published an update noting that September’s inflation report would be released on Oct. 24. Generally, the SSA announces the new COLA almost immediately after the BLS inflation report is published.
What might next year’s adjustment be?
We won’t know the official 2026 COLA until the SSA makes the announcement later this month, but nonpartisan advocacy group The Senior Citizens League has estimated that it will land at 2.7%.
That figure is based on already available inflation data, as well as the projected data from September. If September’s numbers are significantly different from the estimates, the COLA may be higher or lower than predicted.
The average retired worker collects just over $2,000 per month in benefits, according to August 2025 data from the SSA. A 2.7% COLA, then, would amount to a raise of around $56 per month.
While any boost in benefits is helpful to a degree, for many retirees, next year’s COLA may be underwhelming. Inflation has stayed stubbornly high throughout the year, and tariffs have also taken a bite out of many retirees’ budgets.
Medicare Part B premiums are also expected to increase from $185 per month this year to a projected $206.50 per month in 2026, according to this year’s Medicare Trustees Report. Because Medicare premiums are typically deducted from Social Security checks, that $21.50 monthly increase will eat up a significant chunk of the COLA raise for the average retiree.
What does this mean for retirees?
It doesn’t hurt to keep an eye out for the COLA announcement to help budget for 2026, but for the most part, retirees may want to avoid relying too heavily on this adjustment to make ends meet.
Again, any extra cash can help pay the bills, especially with many older adults stretched thin financially right now. But with Social Security not going as far as it used to, it may be wise to start finding ways to reduce your dependence on your benefits.
According to a report from The Senior Citizens League, Social Security benefits lost around 20% of their buying power between 2010 and 2024. If you can swing it, finding a source of passive income or going back to work temporarily could have a bigger impact on your budget than any COLA.
This won’t be possible for everyone, but if you can beef up your savings even slightly, you won’t need to worry quite as much about future COLAs falling short. No matter where the 2026 adjustment lands, it’s wise to keep realistic expectations about how far that money will go.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal built off United States President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at ending Israel’s war on Gaza.
“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line”, Trump said on his Truth Social platform, announcing the ceasefire agreement late on Wednesday.
Under the first phase of the plan, Hamas and other Palestinian factions are required to release 20 Israeli captives held in Gaza who are believed to be alive, and the bodies of 28 others in the Palestinian territory. Israel is required to release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners it holds in its jails, based on a list shared by Hamas. This includes hundreds of people from Gaza whom Israel has arrested since the start of the war in October 2023.
In a separate phone interview with Fox News on its Hannity programme, Trump said Israeli captives held in Gaza could be released on Monday.
Israel and Hamas subsequently confirmed the agreement, though key differences remain over their interpretations of how Trump’s broader plan is to unfold.
The announcement followed three days of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel in Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. Senior officials from Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt and the US had joined the delegations from Israel and Hamas on Wednesday for those talks.
The ceasefire has not come into force yet, but the announcement of the deal prompted messages of congratulations and hope from regional and world leaders.
Here are some of them:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio updates President Trump on the Gaza proposal during a roundtable on antifa on September 22, at the White House in Washington, DC, October 8, 2025 [Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters]
US President Donald Trump
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump said on Truth Social, soon after he received a note from Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the middle of a press briefing, telling the president that a deal was close to being struck.
“All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
Speaking to Sean Hannity on the phone on Fox News, Trump claimed that the world will see “people getting along and Gaza will be rebuilt”, adding that it is going to be a “different world” and that there will be “wealth spent in Gaza”.
“I’m very confident there’ll be peace in the Middle East.”
Trump has hinted that he might travel to Egypt as soon as this weekend.
“I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday,” he told reporters at the White House earlier on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
“A big day for Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement from his Jerusalem office.
“Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home,” he said, thanking Israeli soldiers for “their courage and sacrifice”.
He extended his “heartfelt thanks” to Trump and his team “for their dedication to this sacred mission of freeing our hostages”.
“With God’s help, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and expand peace with our neighbors”.
Hamas
“We highly appreciate the efforts of our brothers and mediators in Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, and we also value the efforts of US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war completely and achieving a full withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said in a statement.
“We call on President Trump, the guarantor states of the agreement, and all Arab, Islamic, and international parties to compel the occupation government to fully implement its obligations under the agreement and to prevent it from evading or delaying the implementation of what has been agreed upon.
“We salute our great people in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and throughout our homeland and the diaspora, who have demonstrated unparalleled honor, courage, and heroism — confronting the fascist occupation projects that targeted them and their national rights. These sacrifices and steadfast positions have thwarted the Israeli occupation’s schemes of subjugation and displacement.
“We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain, and that we will remain true to our pledge — never abandoning our people’s national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved.”
I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire & hostage release in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by @POTUS. I commend the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt & Türkiye in brokering this desperately needed breakthrough.
“I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by President Donald J Trump. I commend the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey in brokering this desperately needed breakthrough,” Guterres said in a statement.
“I urge all concerned to abide fully by the terms of the agreement. All hostages must be released in a dignified manner. A permanent ceasefire must be secured. The fighting must stop once and for all.”
The leader of the UN stressed the need for “immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian supplies and essential commercial materials into Gaza” so that the suffering could end.
“The United Nations will support the full implementation of the agreement and will scale up the delivery of sustained and principled humanitarian relief, and we will advance recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza,” Guterres added.
He mentioned how the peace talks should be the starting point to “achieving a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security”.
“I urge all stakeholders to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward towards ending the occupation, recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people … The stakes have never been higher.”
Qatar
Qatar has led mediation efforts to end the war over the past two years. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani headed to Egypt to participate in the ceasefire talks, underscoring the urgency of efforts to end the war.
“The mediators announce that tonight an agreement was reached on all the provisions and implementation mechanisms of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said after the announcement of the ceasefire deal.
Talking about the agreement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said on X that “details will be announced later”.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Starmer urged that the agreement on the first stage of Trump’s plan for Gaza must be implemented in full without delay.
“I welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he said in a statement.
We welcome the agreement on the first phase of President Trump’s peace plan. This is also a reflection of the strong leadership of PM Netanyahu.
We hope the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way…
Modi welcomed the first phase agreement, calling it a step towards lasting peace in the region.
“We welcome the agreement on the first phase of President Trump’s peace plan. This is also a reflection of the strong leadership of PM Netanyahu,” Modi said in a post on X.
“We hope the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace.”
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters
“Hamas needs to release all of the hostages and Israel must withdraw their troops to the agreed-upon line,” Peters said in a statement.
“This is an essential first step towards achieving lasting peace. We urge Israel and Hamas to continue working towards a complete resolution.”
The Nobel Prize 2025 officially kicks off with the first award, for physiology or medicine, to be announced on Monday, setting the stage for a week of global anticipation.
The full schedule, spanning from October 6 to 13, maps out a rapid succession of announcements: medicine, followed by physics, chemistry, literature, peace, and finally culminating with the economics prize next Monday.
Here are the complete details of the schedule – and what to expect from this year’s Nobel Prizes.
What is the Nobel Prize?
The Nobel Prize is a set of the most prestigious international awards established by the will of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, and industrialist best known for discovering dynamite.
In his 1895 will, Nobel left the bulk of his fortune to fund annual prizes recognising those who “have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind” in the preceding year.
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901 for outstanding achievement in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace.
In 1968, Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, established the Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, expanding the categories to six.
Who awards the Nobel Prizes, and how much is the prize money?
The prizes are awarded by different institutions: the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (for physics, chemistry, and economics), the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institutet (for medicine), the Swedish Academy (for literature), and the Norwegian Nobel Committee (for peace).
Each laureate receives a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash award funded by the Nobel Foundation, which manages Nobel’s endowment. This year’s prize amounts to 11 million Swedish kronor ($1.2m), and a shot at overnight fame for the recipients.
The prizes are formally presented on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death in 1896.
What is this year’s Nobel Prizes schedule?
The announcements will start on Monday, October 6, and will end a week later, on October 13.
Monday, October 6: Physiology or medicine
Announced by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, Wallenbergsalen, Nobel Forum, Solna, near Stockholm.
Tuesday, October 7: Physics
Announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.
Wednesday, October 8: Chemistry
Announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.
Thursday, October 9: Literature
Announced by the Swedish Academy, Stockholm.
Friday, October 10: Peace
Announced at the Norwegian Nobel Institute by the Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Monday, October 13: The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel
Announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.
US President Donald Trump looks at a nomination letter after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not pictured) told him he nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, during a bilateral dinner with other secretaries at the White House in Washington, DC, July 7, 2025 [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]
What is expected to dominate this year’s prizes?
Research into hormones that regulate appetite is leading speculation for this year’s Nobel Prize in medicine.
With more than a billion people worldwide affected by obesity, scientists behind the discovery of the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) are seen as frontrunners. Their work paved the way for a new class of antiobesity and diabetes drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, which have transformed global treatment approaches.
Experts say the likely honourees could include Jens Juul Holst, Joel Habener, Daniel Drucker, and Svetlana Mojsov, who were central to GLP-1’s discovery and development in the 1980s. Others point to Japanese researchers Kenji Kangawa and Masayasu Kojima for their work on ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite, potentially forming a scientific “bookend” to earlier breakthroughs like the discovery of leptin in 1994.
Beyond medicine, there are some popular physics contenders, with experts citing breakthroughs in metamaterials, including British physicist John Pendry’s work on the so-called “invisibility cloak”, a method for redirecting electromagnetic fields around objects.
Why is the Nobel Peace Prize being watched closely this year?
The world is fraught with conflict, including an ongoing genocide in Gaza and mounting humanitarian crises in Ukraine, with civil wars and political repression in several countries.
However, the headlines and debates about this year’s Nobel Peace Prize are rather outsized and focused on United States President Donald Trump, for his relentless self-promotion — at times, claiming to deserve it for “ending seven wars”.
At the United Nations, Trump told delegates that “everyone says that I should get the Nobel Peace Prize”. On September 30, Trump reiterated that he “deserved” to win the prize for the possibility of ending an eighth war, given that Israel ended its two-year-long war in Gaza.
However, experts have noted that his chances are slim. The Norwegian Nobel Committee typically focuses on the durability of peace, the promotion of international fraternity, and the quiet work of institutions that strengthen those goals, experts have argued.
This year’s nominations for Trump include Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Pakistan’s government, though both were made after the deadline for the 2025 award.
One of the Nobel awarding bodies has also warned that academic freedom is under threat from the political interference by the Trump administration.
Ylva Engstrom, vice president of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which awards the prizes for chemistry, physics and economics, said the Trump administration’s changes were reckless. ‘PILLAR OF DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM’ “I think in both the short and long term, it can have devastating effects,” she told the Reuters news agency in an interview. “Academic freedom … is one of the pillars of the democratic system.”
However, Engstrom is not herself on any of the three committees that will award the prizes for chemistry, physics, or economics.
People march during a torch parade in honour of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winners in Oslo, Norway, December 10, 2024 [Kin Cheung/AP Photo]
What happens at the Nobel Prize ceremony?
Annually, on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death, the Nobel Prizes are formally awarded in twin ceremonies held in Stockholm and Oslo.
The Stockholm ceremony is attended by Sweden’s royal family, where laureates in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and economic sciences receive their medals and diplomas from the king of Sweden.
In Oslo, the Nobel Peace Prize is presented by the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee at the Oslo City Hall, honouring Nobel’s wish that the peace prize be awarded in Norway.
Laureates are individually called to the stage, where they receive the Nobel medal, diploma, and the monetary award. The ceremony also features speeches by committee chairs highlighting the significance of their discoveries or contributions.
The event is broadcast worldwide and followed by a lavish Nobel Banquet at Stockholm’s City Hall for more than 1,000 guests, including royal members, diplomats, scientists, and past laureates.
Who won these prizes last year?
Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were awarded the 2024 prize for medicine for discovering microRNAs – tiny RNA molecules that regulate gene expression after transcription.
In physics, John J Hopfield and Geoffrey E Hinton received the prize for pioneering research that laid the theoretical and computational foundations of modern machine learning and artificial neural networks. While Hopfield’s models in the 1980s linked neuroscience and computation, Hinton’s work revolutionised deep learning, enabling advances in image recognition, natural language processing, and artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
In chemistry, the prize was shared by David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M Jumper for breakthroughs in predicting and designing protein structures using computational models. Baker was honoured for developing algorithms that enable scientists to design new proteins with specific functions, while Hassabis and Jumper, from Google’s DeepMind, were recognised for creating AlphaFold, the AI system that predicted nearly all known protein structures with unprecedented accuracy.
In the literature category, the prize went to Han Kang, a South Korean novelist known for her haunting explorations of violence, identity, and collective memory. Best known internationally for novels The Vegetarian and Human Acts, Han was cited “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”.
In the peace category, the prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations, honouring its decades-long campaign to abolish nuclear weapons and preserve the testimony of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors.
In economic sciences, Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A Robinson shared the prize for their analysis of how institutions shape long-term economic growth and inequality. Their collaborative research, including the seminal work Why Nations Fail, demonstrated that inclusive political and economic institutions, rather than geography or culture, determine prosperity.
Former Arsenal footballer Hector Bellerin is one of the highest-profile footballers to use their significant platform and voice to talk about sustainability.
Now a Real Betis player, the 30-year-old has taken a leadership role as the chief ambassador for Forever Green – his club’s non-profit sustainability programme.
Bellerin’s passion for sustainability has also seeped through into his clothes. Last year, he released his own clothing brand, which works with deadstock materials to reduce waste.
He previously set up an initiative to plant 3,000 trees in the Amazon for every win his team achieved during his time at Arsenal, and has spoken critically about the plans Fifa – football’s world governing body – has for the 2030 World Cup.
Earlier this year, Bellerin was named in National Geographic’s 33 for 2025 list, and became an ambassador for Green Football’s Great Save campaign.
Jessie Diggins
The most successful American cross-country skier of all time, Jessie Diggins has won three medals at the Olympics and seven at World Championships.
In April 2025, Diggins and her American team-mates wore special-edition ski suits at the World Championships that depicted a melting ice cap as a way of speaking up about global warming.
The 34-year-old has devoted her platform on social media to raising awareness about climate change, with consistent public speaking through interviews and media appearances, discussing the effects global warming has on snow sports.
Sebastian Vettel
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel continues to carve out a new legacy for himself away from the racetrack.
Since retiring, Vettel has taken on many projects – big and small.
In 2023, he launched a bee sanctuary at the Suzuka F1 circuit in Japan – a symbolic project that combines his racing career with his passion for the environment. That first bee sanctuary has now expanded to a bee meadow in his native Germany.
During the 2022 season, he stopped travelling to grands prix by plane, instead choosing to drive to as many of the circuits as he could to avoid taking internal European flights.
In the past 12 months, the 38-year-old has particularly focused his attention on what is happening within the Amazon rainforest – one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet.
While in Brazil, he visited the Kayapo people – an indigenous tribe who live in, and depend, on the Amazon. By highlighting this, Vettel is bringing many new eyes to the devastating effects of deforestation.
Sofie Junge Pedersen
Danish footballer Sofie Junge Pedersenhas become well known for environmental activism throughout her career, and last year was named by the Guardian as its footballer of the year for her work in this area.
When playing for Inter Milan, she persuaded the team to not fly to matches in the 18 months she was there.
The 33-year-old’s commitment to environmentalism is long-standing.
In 2023, she led a group of 44 players to offset their flights to the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. And over the past 12 months, she has continued to call upon European football’s governing body Uefa to mandate clubs to take trains instead of planes where possible.
Channel 4 is making a documentary on the Dunblane massacre to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the tragedy next yearCredit: Tom Kidd
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The BBC has also announced it will be doing its own programme, which will also mark three decades since 16 pupils and a teacher were killed by a gunman at the schoolCredit: Derek Ironside
But I can reveal the Channel 4 one will have special meaning for its creators.
A TV insider said: “It is being made by production company Candour whose founder, Anna Hall, grew up in the Scottish town that was hit by the tragedy on March 13, 1996.
“So it will be imbued with real poignancy and, of course, it will be handled with extreme sensitivity.”
Chief Creative Officer Anna’s first ever film was about the tragedy — Dunblane: Remembering our Children premiered on ITV on the first anniversary of the shootings in 1997.
The programme was nominated for numerous awards including the RTS Best Single Documentary, an Emmy and a Prix Italia.
Now she and the rest of the Candour team — who also made the recent C4 documentary about the death of Jay Slater — are taking another look at the events of that dark day.
The massacre, which also left 15 people injured, remains the deadliest mass shooting in British history and led to a change in the law prohibiting the possession of most handguns in the UK.
Shooting
Last week the BBC announced it had commissioned a one-off hour-long documentary called Dunblane: The Shooting that Changed Britain.
Made by IWC Media it also looks at what happened in Dunblane, as well as the effect it had on the law.
Channel 4 have yet to confirm the commissioning of its documentary, though it is expected to be filmed this autumn, ready for broadcast in March.
Lorraine Kelly reveals Dunblane massacre was worst day of 40 year career
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Queen Elizabeth places a floral bouquet in front of Dunblane Primary SchoolCredit: Reuters
Vigil for third series
THE third series of BBC thriller Vigil sees Rose Leslie and Suranne Jones joined by newcomers Jeppe Beck Laursen, Tornike Gogrichiani and Steven Miller.
DCI Silva and DI Longacre head to an Arctic research station, where a special forces operative has been killed.
Top Bill in Caddy Craic
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Bill Murray is heading to Ireland for a new BBC travelogueCredit: Getty
The six-parter will see Ghostbusters and Caddyshack legend Bill and celeb pals tour the Emerald Isle’s top golf courses.
Insiders say the show’s about life, chance encounters and the joy of going off course.
Bill said: “I started out caddying, and golf was the best education I ever received.
“Ireland feels like the right place to put all that to work.
“They’ve got this wonderful word there, ‘craic,’ which means fun, but it means a lot of other things.
“A lot of good things.
“And this show will be about us finding it.”
Off Course (working title) is on BBC Two later this year.
Gemma future secured
HOLLYOAKS actress Gemma Bissix has signed a new contract to stay on the E4 soap after her explosive comeback as Clare Devine.
Incorrect rumours claimed she had quit but a source told me: “Gemma recently finished filming her first stint back as Clare – but she will be back after a short break.”
Nvidia makes another aggressive move to control the AI market.
Nvidia(NVDA -0.73%) is no stranger to investing in its customers. The company has put billions to work to expand the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, aiming for more growth and investment from its core growth market. The company’s latest deal with OpenAI — the maker of ChatGPT — is a prime example of this strategy.
Here’s what the deal between Nvidia and OpenAI means
The first thing to understand about this deal is that it is simply a letter of intent. That means the partnership is non-binding, with no legal obligation for either of the companies to follow through on the deal framework discussed below. Even if the deal is non-binding, however, the spirit of the partnership is clear: Nvidia and OpenAI will be working closely together to enable each other’s businesses.
Next, let’s discuss the figures you may have seen in the headlines. Nvidia, for example, has pledged to invest $100 billion into OpenAI. The details, however, paint a slightly different picture than the headlines. What the deal essentially outlines is OpenAI’s intention to purchase Nvidia hardware for a massive, multiyear infrastructure buildout. According to a press release, OpenAI intends to “build and deploy at least 10 gigawatts of AI data centers with NVIDIA systems representing millions of GPUs for OpenAI’s next-generation AI infrastructure.” In return, Nvidia will invest in OpenAI equity in tranches, with each funding tranche being initiated as the infrastructure gradually expands.
OpenAI gets two things from this partnership. First, it gets funding in the form of direct cash for equity. Second, it gets preferential treatment from Nvidia when it comes to technology sourcing. Nvidia’s chips are in high demand, at one point facing 12-month shipping delays. OpenAI has now secured a long-term strategic advantage, gaining the ability to scale its infrastructure with the best chips on the planet, chips that the competition may not be able to source.
Nvidia, meanwhile, gains an even stronger backlog. It locks in a huge customer for years to come. It also helps fund an accelerated buildout of AI infrastructure — another long-term tailwind for its business.
Image source: Getty Images.
Should you buy even more Nvidia stock?
This is the type of deal that only Nvidia and OpenAI could pull off. Both are industry heavyweights with sizable competitive advantages. By joining forces, both companies stand to gain even more ground on the competition.
Should you buy stock in Nvidia due to this deal alone? Probably not. The deal, as mentioned, is simply a signal of intent. Nothing is legally binding. Plus, the tie-up could draw the scrutiny of regulators. According to Reuters:
The scale of Nvidia’s latest commitment could attract antitrust scrutiny. The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission reached a deal in mid-2024 that cleared the way for potential probes into the roles of Microsoft, OpenAI and Nvidia in the AI industry. However, the Trump administration has so far taken a lighter approach to competition issues than the Biden administration.
Even if there are changes to the deal due to regulators or external influences, investors should be very bullish simply about Nvidia’s ability to forge such a deal. It has a huge lead on the competition when it comes to real-world chip performance, access to capital, and industry influence. By making moves like this, the company is ensuring that its dominant market shares have the possibility of continuing far into the future. So while shares aren’t a buy simply due to the deal with OpenAI, investors should take this news as a strong positive for Nvidia’s future.
Ryan Vanzo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes under the Spanish govenrment’s new proposals
The Spanish government wants to ban smoking in public spaces(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Smoking and vaping could soon be banned in restaurant terraces and on beaches in Spain.
The Spanish government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban locals and holidaymakers alike from having a puff on bar and restaurant terraces, as well as on beaches. The law would also prohibit minors from using vapes and related products, and end the sale of single-use electronic cigarettes.
The legislation was signed off by the cabinet on Tuesday morning. The bill still needs to be approved by parliament and could be amended. There is no indication yet of when these measures might come in.
Electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal products, shisha pipes and devices used to heat tobacco and other substances would be treated the same as conventional cigarettes.
This could become a thing of the past(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Their use would all be banned in enclosed public spaces, as well as in outdoor areas such as bar terraces, stadiums, sports centres, children’s play areas, bus stops and educational facilities.
The health minister, Mónica García Gómez, said the draft law was intended to put Spain “back at the forefront of the fight against tobacco”. Smoking inside bars and restaurants in Spain was banned back in 2010, but since then, progress has been slow.
According to the Global Action to End Smoking report, 24.9% of the population used tobacco in some way in 2022, with higher rates of (27.5%) among men. In contrast, 11% of Brits smoke.
Ms Gómez added: “We know that tobacco claims the lives of 140 people a day in our country, which is 50,000 people a year. I also want to stress that 30% of cancer tumours are linked to the factors that come from tobacco use … We know that the reality has changed when it comes to tobacco and that there are new devices, such as vapes and tobacco-heating devices and nicotine pouches – and this law, for the first time, will regulate all these tobacco-related products, and it will regulate them in a clear and forceful way based on the scientific evidence.”
Holidaymakers looking to pick up some cheap cigarettes are in luck. There is no plan to hike prices in a country where a pack of 20 cigarettes costs less than €6 (£5.20).
Spain’s approach mirrors recent action taken by France in July. It is now illegal to smoke in outdoor places, including beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops and sports venues in France. The legislation, however, excludes café and bar terraces and electronic cigarettes from its restrictions.
Absent from Spain’s cabinet-approved proposal are any requirements for plain packaging on tobacco products. This is a measure that has been adopted by 25 nations, including the UK, according to World Health Organisation data.
The first electric vehicles (EV) eligible for the £3,750 discount under the government’s grant scheme have been announced.
The Department for Transport confirmed Ford’s Puma Gen-E or e-Tourneo Courier would be discounted as part of plans to encourage drivers to move away from petrol and diesel vehicles.
Under the grant scheme, the discount applies to new eligible car models costing up to £37,000, with the most environmentally friendly ones seeing the biggest reductions. Another 26 models have been cleared for discounts of £1,500.
Carmakers can apply for models to be eligible for grants, which are then automatically applied at the point of sale.
More vehicles are expected to be approved in the coming weeks and the DfT said the policy would bring down prices to “closely match their petrol and diesel counterparts”.
The government has pledged to ban the sale of new fully petrol or diesel cars from 2030.
But many drivers cite upfront costs as a key barrier to buying an EV and some have told the BBC that the UK needs more charging points. As a result EVs “don’t cut the mustard”, said Hugh Bladon, founding member of the Alliance of British Drivers.
He said hybrid cars were “the way forward” as they were more cost-effective than EVs and called for similar incentives for such vehicles.
According to Ford, the retail price for a new Puma Gen-E costs £26,245, while a petrol version is £26,580.
The grants to lower the cost of EVs will be funded through the £650m scheme, and will be available for three years.
There are around 1.3 million electric cars on Britain’s roads but currently only around 82,000 public charging points.
As well as how environmentally friendly the cars perform, manufacturers adopting the most sustainable and “greenest” methods during the production process, such as using 100% renewable electricity, stand a better chance of achieving eligibility for the maximum discount, the government said.
Full list of EVs eligible for the £1,500 discount
Citroën ë-C3 and Citroën ë-C3 Aircross
Citroën ë-C4 and Citroën ë-C4 X
Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
Citroën ë-Berlingo
Cupra Born
DS DS3
DS N°4
Nissan Ariya
Nissan Micra
Peugeot E-208
Peugeot E-2008
Peugeot E-308
Peugeot E-408
Peugeot E-Rifter
Renault 4
Renault 5
Renault Alpine A290
Renault Megane
Renault Scenic
Vauxhall Astra Electric
Vauxhall Combo Life Electric
Vauxhall Corsa Electric
Vauxhall Frontera Electric
Vauxhall Grandland Electric
Vauxhall Mokka Electric
Volkswagen ID.3
The up-front cost of EVs is higher on average than for petrol cars.
According to Autotrader, the average price of a new battery electric car was £49,790 in June 2025, based on manufacturers’ recommended prices for 148 models.
The equivalent for a petrol car was £34,225, but the average covers a broad range of prices.
Across all types of engines, sales of used cars outweigh those of brand new vehicles.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show up to 7.6 million second-hand cars were purchased last year, compared to nearly two million brand new vehicles across all fuel types.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the grant scheme was making it “easier and cheaper for families to make the switch to electric”.
Edmund King, president of the AA, said drivers “frequently tell us that the upfront costs of new EVs are a stumbling block to making the switch to electric”.
“It is great to see some of these more substantial £3,750 discounts coming online because for some drivers this might just bridge the financial gap to make these cars affordable.”
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said the government needed to ramp up the processing and assessment of applications for new EV models to be eligible for the scheme “to ensure the greatest possible choice for consumers and certainty for the market”.
United States President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he has selected a $175bn design for the multilayered Golden Dome missile defence programme aimed at countering aerial threats “even if they are launched from space”.
As part of the project, the US would deploy missile interceptors in space to shield against ballistic and hypersonic threats.
Here is more about the Golden Dome project.
What did Trump announce?
Trump on Tuesday announced $25bn initial funding for the project that will cost $175bn and be completed by the end of his current term in 2029.
“Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they are launched from space,” Trump said.
“This is very important for the success and even survival of our country.”
Trump also announced that US Space Force General Michael Guetlein would be the lead programme manager, responsible for overseeing the project’s progress.
“I promised the American people that I would build a cutting-edge missile defence shield to protect our homeland from the threat of foreign missile attack,” said Trump.
Trump additionally announced: “Canada has called us, and they want to be a part of it. So we’ll be talking to them.”
What is the Golden Dome project?
Trump said the Golden Dome was made to take down “hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles and advanced cruise missiles”, adding that the programme would have space-based interceptors and sensors.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, speaking alongside Trump, said the system is aimed at protecting “the homeland from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones, whether they’re conventional or nuclear”.
The announcement comes just months after January 27, when Trump signed an executive order to “immediately begin the construction of a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defence shield, which will be able to protect Americans”.
The Iron Dome is Israel’s missile defence system which detects an incoming rocket, determines its path, and intercepts it. The development of the system was funded by a grant from the US.
Trump said existing defence capabilities will be used in the construction of the project, and predicted the total cost would be about $175bn.
The White House has not yet released further details about the project. While Trump said the system would be developed in the US, he has not named which companies will be involved.
A space-based defence system was first envisaged by Ronald Reagan, the Republican US president from 1981 to 1989. Amidst the Cold War, Reagan proposed a barrier to nuclear weapons that included space-based technology, as part of his Strategic Defense Initiative, or Star Wars project.
“We will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago, forever ending the missile threat to the American homeland,” Trump said on Tuesday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt looks on from behind posters depicting a ‘Golden Dome for America’ [Andrew Harnik /Getty Images via AFP]
Is the Golden Dome plan feasible?
Industry experts have questioned the timeline and budget of the plan.
Funding for the Golden Dome has not yet been secured. At Tuesday’s news conference, Trump confirmed that he was seeking $25bn for the system in a tax cut bill currently moving through Congress, although that sum could be cut amid ongoing negotiations.
Additionally, some variation is expected in the total cost of the project. The Associated Press quoted an unnamed government official as saying Trump had been given three versions of the plan, described as “medium,” “high”, and “extra high”. These versions correspond to the number of satellites, sensors and interceptors that will be placed in space. AP reported that Trump picked the “high” version, which has an initial cost ranging between $30bn and $100bn.
“The new data point is the $175 billion, but the question remains, over what period of time. It’s probably 10 years,” Tom Karako, a senior fellow with the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), told the Reuters news agency.
On May 1, 42 Democratic members of the US Congress signed a letter questioning the possible involvement of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which is among the top technology companies seeking to build key components of the Golden Dome.
“If Mr Musk were to exercise improper influence over the Golden Dome contract, it would be another example of a disturbing pattern of Mr Musk flouting conflict of interest rules,” the letter says.
How did China and Russia – the US’s biggest rivals – react?
The US sees a growing threat from China and Russia, its main adversaries.
Over the past decades, China has greatly advanced its ballistic and hypersonic missile technology, while Moscow boasts one of the most advanced intercontinental-range missile systems in the world. Russia and the US have amassed the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads worldwide.
The threat of drones has also grown amid advancements in technology.
China denounced the Golden Dome as a threat to international security and accused the US of prompting an arms race.
“The United States puts its own interests first and is obsessed with seeking its own absolute security, which violates the principle that no country’s security should come at the expense of others,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing.
“(The plan) heightens the risk of space becoming a battlefield, fuels an arms race, and undermines international security,” he said.
The Kremlin said the Golden Dome missile shield plan was a “sovereign matter” for the US.
“This is a sovereign matter for the United States. If the United States believes that there is a missile threat, then of course it will develop a missile defence system,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP, on Wednesday.
“That is what all countries do,” he added.
“Of course, in the foreseeable future, the course of events will require the resumption of contacts to restore strategic stability,” he said.
